Halloween Oobleck for a Frightfully Fun Time!
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September 30, 2024 / DIY / STEM Activities / Chemistry / Ages 3 - 5 / Halloween Oobleck
Are you ready to explore a magical substance? Oobleck looks like a liquid but can instantly turn into a hard solid with just a touch! Imagine stepping on it and not sinking in - how is this possible? In this experiment, you'll create this "mysterious substance" with your own hands and uncover the scientific secrets behind it.
- Age: 3-5
- Time: Less than 30 minutes
- Mess Level: Messy
Materials Needed:
- 2 cups cornflour
- 1 cup water
- Food colouring
- Plastic spiders
- Bowl
- spoon
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Add cornflour and water to the bowl (add water gradually in small amounts), with a ratio of 2:1.
- Stir them together, adding food colouring during the mixing process.
- Take a small handful of Oobleck and place it in your palm. If it flows like a liquid, but hardens like a solid when you squeeze it, your experiment is successful. If your Oobleck doesn't achieve this state, you'll need to add water or cornflour as necessary until it reaches this condition.
- If you're doing this experiment for Halloween, you can add some spooky elements like plastic spiders or eyeballs to the Oobleck.
- Observe what happens when you gently place small, heavy objects on the Oobleck. Will they be "swallowed" by it? What happens if you drop the objects onto the Oobleck from a height?
The Science Behind It:
Oobleck is a substance made from a mixture of cornflour and water. It exhibits properties of both liquids and solids, which is characteristic of non-Newtonian fluids.
Unlike Newtonian fluids (such as water or oil), Oobleck's viscosity is not constant but changes with the amount of force applied. When a slow and gentle force is applied, it behaves like a liquid and flows easily. However, when a quick and strong force is applied, it behaves like a solid and becomes hard.
